Olearia avicenniifolia
Akeake
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Olearia genus in the family Compositae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Compositae
- Genus
- Olearia
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Foliage
- evergreen
- Woodiness
- woody
- Height
- 3 m
- Spread
- 5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Material uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Very resistant to maritime exposure and tolerant of severe pruning[2][7][3][6], this plant can be used as an effective windbreak hedge in exposed maritime areas[8]. It is rather slow growing though[8].
Ecology and functions
Environment
- Range
- New Zealand.
- Habitat
- Sub-alpine scrub to 1000 metres in South Island.
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 8+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - surface sow in early spring in a greenhouse. Do not allow the compost to dry out. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. If growth has been sufficiently good, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer of the following year, otherwise grow them on for another year in pots and plant them out the following early summer. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 5 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a frame. Pot up in late August and overwinter in a cold frame then plant out in late spring or early summer[9]. Good percentage[2]. Cuttings of moderately ripe wood of the current years growth, 5 - 10cm with a heel, November in a frame. High percentage[9].
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in any well-drained moderately fertile soil in full sun[4][6]. Thrives in a chalky soil[4] but prefers a light loam or peaty soil[2]. Very tolerant of maritime exposure[2][8]. Tolerates atmospheric pollution[6]. This species is not very hardy outside the milder western and south-western maritime areas of Britain[1], tolerating temperatures down to about -10°c[5]. Another report says that it is hardy to about -15°c[6]. Very slow growing in Britain[8], the plants generally only reach 2 - 3 metres tall in cultivation in this country. Plants can be pruned right back into old wood in order to promote fresh growth[6]. Any pruning is best done in the spring[2]. Some named forms have been developed for their ornamental value[4]. Flowers best in years following long hot summers[6]. The flowers are sweetly scented[5].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Taylor. J. The Milder Garden. Dent 1990-00-00
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Arnold-Forster. Shrubs for the Milder Counties.
Rosewarne experimental horticultural station. Shelter Trees and Hedges. Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food 1984-00-00
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00